Negative Life Events and Depressive Symptoms in Young Adolescents

Background: Adolescents are at risk for developing mental health problems if they are unable to effectively cope with negative events. A clearer understanding of the relationship between negative life events and depressive symptoms is a critical first step towards developing effective prevention interventions. Purpose: To examine the prevalence and type of negative life events and their relationship with level of depressive symptoms in a school-based sample (N=111) of 7th and 8th grade adolescents. Significance: Depressive disorders that develop during adolescence often become chronic, recurrent conditions that cause significant burden for the adolescent, their family, and society. Identifying stressors and depressive symptoms early may prevent enduring negative outcomes. Methodology: A cross-sectional correlational design was used. Participants completed the Adolescent Life Events Questionnaire to assess negative events in four domains (i.e., family, romantic relationships, school, and friends/social activities) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for Children to assess level of depressive symptoms. Findings/Results: Participants reported negative life events in all domains with the school domain, proportionately, receiving the most responses. Negative life events were positively associated with depressive symptoms overall (r=0.61, p<.001) and within each domain: Family (r=0.57, p<.001), romantic relationships (r=0.50, p<.001), school (r=0.34, p<.001), and friends/social activities (r=0.55, p<.001). Conclusions/Recommendations: Findings suggest that adolescents experience a variety of negative life events and are at greatest risk for the development of depressive symptoms as the cumulative effects of multiple stressors overwhelm their adaptive functioning. These results highlight the need for strategies that minimize stress and promote positive mental health.